- Hermitage residents lost nearly $600,000 to cryptocurrency Scams in recent months, with criminals exploiting Bitcoin ATMs for payments.
- Older adults (60+) are particularly vulnerable to tech support, data breach, and romance scams involving cryptocurrency.
- Legitimate businesses and government agencies never request cryptocurrency payments, and financial losses through crypto scams are difficult to recover.
Cryptocurrency scam victims in Hermitage have collectively lost approximately $596,800 over recent months, according to local law enforcement. The Hermitage Police Department reports a significant increase in residents falling victim to various scams, with criminals increasingly directing victims to use local cryptocurrency Bitcoin ATMs as payment methods.
"Have a conversation with your parents, grandparents and friends," urged the Hermitage Police Department in a recent press release, highlighting the growing concern over cryptocurrency-related fraud in the community.
The uptick in Hermitage mirrors a national trend. A 2023 government report revealed that Americans lost more than $5.6 billion through cryptocurrency-related fraud last year alone. Pennsylvania ranks among the states with the highest number of reported cryptocurrency scam cases, with victims over 60 years old representing the vast majority of those targeted.
Scammers specifically target older adults through three primary schemes:
- Tech support scams
- Personal data breach scams
- Confidence/romance scams
Criminals operating these schemes often pressure victims to make payments using cryptocurrency—a payment method that no legitimate business or government agency would ever require. Virtual currencies lack the backing of any government or central bank, making them attractive to scammers due to their Anonymity, limited regulatory oversight, and the difficulty in tracing transactions.
Unlike traditional payment methods such as credit or debit cards, cryptocurrency transactions through Bitcoin ATMs don’t offer the same legal protections. Payments typically cannot be reversed once completed, leaving victims with little recourse to recover lost funds.
To protect yourself from cryptocurrency scams, remember these essential safeguards:
- No legitimate organization will ever demand payment in cryptocurrency or prepaid gift cards
- Never click links from unexpected messages, even if they appear to come from known companies
- Resist pressure to invest quickly—criminals create false urgency around supposed investment opportunities
- Thoroughly research any cryptocurrency platform before providing personal or financial information
- Never share your "private keys"—the long alphanumeric codes that grant access to your cryptocurrency
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a cryptocurrency scam, report it immediately to:
- The FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/
- Your local police department (for Hermitage residents: 724-662-6110 for non-emergency dispatch)
- The Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
The rise in cryptocurrency-related fraud highlights the importance of ongoing education and vigilance, particularly for older adults who may be less familiar with these digital payment systems.
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